Climate change is impacting the availability of resources for wildlife, potentially leading to elevated stress levels harmful to their health. Our research shows that African elephants living in Kenya’s Tsavo ecosystem may be physiologically unaffected by reduced habitat quality during typical dry seasons. Privately protected areas provide crucial habitat for wildlife during dry seasons, but elephants should be closely monitored regarding their stress response to increasingly severe drought periods.

Roads and traffic often cause injury or death of wildlife through vehicle collisions. We aimed to identify the predictors associated with road-kill risk, finding that forested areas with no roadside fence on curved sections of road posed the highest risk to animals. We illustrated the value of using data-driven approaches to predictive modelling and offer a guide to practical management interventions that can mitigate road-related hazards. Photograph by Barry Brook.

The size of animal populations is difficult to estimate, especially for cryptic or threatened species that are rare. Acoustic arrays and spatial count modelling were used to estimate density of the koala. Our density estimates were plausible, reliable and cost-effective, although caution is needed when applying models to high-density populations where home ranges may overlap. Image created by L. Gonsalves.

Quick and cost-effective field assessments of ecological and socioeconomic data are needed to aid wildlife conservation. In this study, we present a structured interview protocol, the Wildlife–Human Survey, and investigate its effectiveness in a pilot study in southeast Brazil. We present the pros and cons of using this protocol to gather information on mammal assemblages and human interactions in rural landscapes shared by both. We also highlight its potential for contributing to wildlife research and management. Photograph by Edinaldo Mesalino.

Gas explosive devices are used to kill rabbits and disrupt small warrens where other methods, such as poisoning or ripping, are not suitable. We conducted trials in artificial and natural warrens to assess the animal welfare impact of the R3 Unit (formerly called the Rodenator™), and found that a blast pressure of at least 67 psi is required throughout the warren to kill rabbits quickly and humanely. Photograph by Brian Lukins.

The spatio-temporal partitioning of large African carnivores (lions, spotted hyaenas and leopards) influences interspecific competition and coexistence within small, enclosed reserves. We deployed 110 camera traps (unbaited and baited) across Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa and found temporal and spatial exclusion between lions and spotted hyaenas. However, no evidence was found of spatio-temporal partitioning between lions and leopards, and spotted hyaenas and leopards. Photograph by Emma E. M. Evers.